Crucible lines

Good, then -it is evil, and I do it!

Praise to God, man, praise to God; you shall be blessed in Heaven for this. Now then, let us have it. Are you ready, Mr. Cheever?

Why must it be written?

Why, for the good instruction of the village, Mister; this we shall post upon the church door! Where is the marshal?

Marshal! Hurry!

Now, then, Mister, will you speak slowly, and directly to the point, for Mr. Cheever’s sake. Mr. Proctor, have you seen the Devil in your life? Come, man, there is light in the sky; the town waits at the scaffold; I would give out this news. Did you see the Devil?

Praise God!

And when he come to you, what were his demand? Did he bid you to do his work upon the earth?

He did.

And you bound yourself to his service? Come in, come in, woman!

Ah, John! You are well, then, eh?

Courage, man, courage -let her witness your good example that she may come to God herself. Now hear it, Goody Nurse! Say on, Mr. Proctor. Did you bind yourself to the Devil’s service?

I did.

Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin’ to keep this conspiracy any further. Will you confess yourself with him?

Oh John -God send his mercy on you!

I say, will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse?

Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot.

Mr. Proctor. When the Devil came to you did you see Rebecca Nurse in his company? Come, man, take courage -did you ever see her with the Devil?

No

Did you ever see her sister, Mary Easty, with the Devil?

No, I did not.

Did you ever see Martha Corey with the Devil?

I did not.

Did you ever see anyone with the Devil?

I did not.

Proctor, you mistake me. I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie. You must have most certainly seen some person with the Devil. Mr. Proctor a score of people have already testified they saw this woman with the Devil.

Then it is proved. Why must I say it?

Why “must” you say it! Why, you should rejoice to say it if your soul is truly purged of any love for Hell!

They think they go like saints. I like not to spoil their names.

Mr. Proctor, do you think they go like saints?

This woman never thought she done the Devil’s work.

Look you, sir. I think you mistake your duty here. It matters nothing what she thought -she is convicted of the unnatural murder of children, and you for sending your spirit out upon Mary Warren. Your soul alone is the issue here, Mister, and you will prove its whiteness or you cannot live in a Christian country. Will you tell me now what persons conspired with you in the Devil’s company? To your knowledge was Rebecca Nurse ever-

It is a great service, sir. It is a weighty name; it will strike the village that Proctor confess. I beg you, let him sign it. The sun is up, Excellency!

Come, then, sign your testimony. Give it to him. Come, man, sign it.

You all have witnessed it -it is enough.

You will not sign it?

You have all witnessed it; what more is needed?

Do you sport with me? You will sign your name or it is no confession, Mister!

Praise be to the Lord!

If you please, sir.

No.

Mr. Proctor, I must have-

Damn the village! I confess to God, and God has seen my name on this! It is enough!

No, sir, it is-

You came to save my soul, did you not? Here! I have confessed myself; it is enough!

You have not con-

God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!

Mr. Proctor-

You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!

I do not wish to-

I have three children -how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?

You have not sold your friends-

Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!

Mr. Proctor, I must have good and legal proof that you-

You are the high court, your word is good enough! Tell them I confessed myself; say Proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman; say what you will, but my name cannot-

It is the same, is it not? If I report it or you sign to it?

No, it is not the same! What others say and what I sign to is not the same!

Why? Do you mean to deny this confession when you are free?

I mean to deny nothing!

Then explain to me, Mr. Proctor, why you will not let-

Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

Is that document a lie? If it is a lie I will not accept it! What say you? I will not deal in lies, Mister! You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the rope. Which way do you go, Mister?

Proctor tears up the paper

Marshal!

Let you fear nothing! Another judgement waits us all!

Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption!